Rubio 'likes the pressure, likes the challenge' of expectations surrounding return to Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS – Ricky Rubio knows that there are a lot of expectations being put on his return to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He knows he is being cast as the missing piece that will magically make everything better as soon as he hits the court.

Rubio says he welcomes that pressure, but he's also cautioning eager Wolves fans that it will take some time before he's back to the being the dynamic point guard he was before tearing knee ligaments last March.

Rubio again was a scratch before the Wolves hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. But his season debut could happen as early as next week.

He says he wishes he was playing "a month ago," but knows that he can't rush back from such a serious injury.